Five Vols Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Teams

Five Vols Named to ABCA/Rawlings All-Region Teams

Posted on June 17, 2021
UT Baseball / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee baseball program had five players earn ABCA/Rawlings Southeast All-Region honors, as voted on by members of the American Baseball Coaches Association and released by the organization on Wednesday.

Junior right-handed pitcher Chad Dallas, junior third baseman Jake Rucker and senior shortstop Liam Spence were named First Team Southeast All-Region, while junior second baseman Max Ferguson and sophomore outfielder Jordan Beck were second-team selections.

Tennessee’s five All-Region selections mark its most in a single season in program history, surpassing the previous high of four (2000, 2005, 2006, 2019). None of this year’s selections had been previously selected to an All-Region team.

The Vols’ Friday night starter all season long, Dallas has started 16 games for the Vols and has posted an 11-1 record in the process. The Orange, Texas, native has recorded 118 strikeouts—eighth most in a single season in program history. Dallas’ 11 wins are the most by any Tennessee pitcher since 2005 and he’s currently tied for sixth in program history in single-season victories.

Rucker, who has already been named a Collegiate Baseball News All-American and First Team All-SEC selection, has put together his best season as a Vol in 2021. Entering the College World Series, Rucker leads the team and ranks 11th in the nation in hits (88), ranks second on the team in batting average (.331) and is third on the team in RBIs (55).

Another First Team All-SEC selection, Spence established himself as Tennessee’s most reliable hitter for much of the season. The team leader in batting average (.339), Spence has 80 hits this season and an SEC-leading .477 on-base percentage. He also leads the team with 63 runs scored and has drawn 53 walks this year—fifth most in the nation.

Ferguson and Beck have also had impressive years for the Big Orange. Ferguson’s 12 homers and 46 RBI ranks fourth on the team while Beck is tied for the team lead in home runs with 15 and ranks 14th in the nation in with a team-high 63 runs batted in.

Tennessee opens its College World Series run on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET against Virginia. The game will be televised on ESPN2.

ABCA All-Region Teams

-UT Athletics

Jon Pardi Needs a Little Vocal Medication & Tequila Little Time to Be Quiet

Jon Pardi Needs a Little Vocal Medication & Tequila Little Time to Be Quiet

Posted on June 16, 2021

Imagine waiting a year and half to get back on the road to start performing shows – and then just as things are opening up…you’re put on vocal rest.

Well, that’s Jon Pardi‘s life right now.

He shared on social media, “For the first time in my life I have been ordered by the doctor to go on vocal rest and it is NOT EASY!!! All shows through End of June will be rescheduled. I promise to do my part and stay as healthy as possible to continue singing and performing. Sorry for the inconvenience.”

Jon’s vocals probably do need the rest as he has been pulling double duty lately.

Not only does he have his own single out at country radio, “Tequila Little Time,” but he’s also featured on Lauren Alaina‘s song  “Getting Over Him.”

We wish Jon a speedy recovery…

Check out the music videos for “Tequila Little Time” and “Getting Over Him” right here…

 

Photo Courtesy of Jon Pardi

Raleigh Keegan Thinks There’s a Drink For Your Summer Heartbreak

Raleigh Keegan Thinks There’s a Drink For Your Summer Heartbreak

Posted on June 16, 2021

It may just be the start of summer, but Raleigh Keegan already has the song for you when you warm weather fling ends.

Talking about “Drink For That,” he says “I’m incredibly excited for people to hear ‘Drink for That’ because everyone knows that feeling of breaking up with your summer love. There may not be a drink to cure that feeling but this song has a drum line to make you feel better about it!”  

Listen to Raleigh Keegan’s new track, “Drink For That”…

Photo Credit: Sean McGee

A Day In The Country – June 16th – Scotty McCreery, Ashley McBryde, Carrie Underwood, & Kenny Chesney

A Day In The Country – June 16th – Scotty McCreery, Ashley McBryde, Carrie Underwood, & Kenny Chesney

Posted on June 16, 2021

This is A Day in the Country with Paul Koffy – June 16th

On this day in 2018 Scotty and Gabi McCreery got married – Scotty’s latest single “You Time” was inspired by Gabi!

In 2017, Ashley McBryde made her debut at the Grand Ole Opry

In 2012, Carrie Underwood was at number-1 with “Good Girl”

And on this day in 2005, Kenny Chesney threw out the ceremonial first pitch at an Oakland A’s home game against the New York Mets – the Mets would end up winning the game.

2005 was also the year that Kenny released the album, Be As You Are. Earlier this year, Kenny celebrated the 16th anniversary of the album with a special performance of “Old Blue Chair.”

Photo Credit: Daniel Meigs

Brad Paisley Shares the Best Advice His Dad Ever Gave Him

Brad Paisley Shares the Best Advice His Dad Ever Gave Him

Posted on June 16, 2021

Brad Paisley is a country music icon and guitar playing master these days…but at one point, he got by in the music industry just on his looks!

Brad shares, “I started playing live music at 10 or 11. Playing a little band I had at 13 and singing…I was booked pretty solid in this little town where we were from because I was a novelty act. It was a 12 year old standing there and singing Lee Greenwood’s ‘God Bless the USA’? you can’t go wrong (laughter). That’s just money in the bank.”

But his dad gave Brad some sound advice, that he took to heart…“My dad used to tell me when I was playing music, ‘you’re pretty good for 12, but when you’re 18 you gotta be better than this because you won’t be cute anymore.'”

Now that might sound harsh, but Brad fully appreciated the frank comment from his dad, “He would never mince words that way, and that was truly good advice. And something that I think people need to realize. At some point you gotta get good at something. At first, maybe you worked your way to where you are getting’ but get good at it! This is a day and age where everybody thinks you can just do an embarrassing video and post it on Instagram and have a few seconds of fame, but do something else. Go get good at something.””

Well, Brad did go and get good at something…because all these years later, he’s still making music, like his new single “City of Music” — which he says in an ode to his new hometown, Nashville.

Check out the full track here – “City of Music” from Brad Paisley.

Photo Courtesy of Sony Music Nashville

Luke Combs Makes It 3-Weeks in a Row at Number-1 for “Forever After All”

Luke Combs Makes It 3-Weeks in a Row at Number-1 for “Forever After All”

Posted on June 16, 2021

Luke Combs now owns one third of the weeks in 2021 at number-1.

“Forever After All” is once again at number-1 on the country music airplay chart, and earlier this year, Luke had a 5 week stay at the top with “Better Together.”

That 8 weeks is more than any other artist so far this year.

Luke knows that all the success he’s having would not be possible without his fans.

He says, “Since I was not even writing my own music, It was just…They would say ‘Man, I showed you to everybody and I brought ten people to the show tonight.’ Or they say ‘I’ve bought all your music and sometimes twice.’ They’re just so enthusiastic and it’s such a help to have people who believe in you that much because it’s easy when you got – you know, they become a salesman for your music and for your brand and stuff. They’ll go out and they’ll play your music when anybody gets in the truck. They say ‘You heard this guy’s song?’ And they play it and that person falls in love with you and they show somebody else and it’s just kinda a snowball effect. Such a cool thing.”

These days it’s hard to believe that someone hasn’t heard one of Luke’s 11 number-one songs…but there’s always a new fan around every corner.

Congrats to Luke for his 3-week stay at number-one with “Forever After All” – check out the very autobiographical video for the hit song…

Phone Credit: Zack Massey

 

Kelsea Ballerini Releases Official Music Video for “I Quit Drinking”

Kelsea Ballerini Releases Official Music Video for “I Quit Drinking”

Posted on June 16, 2021

On the heels of her recent appearance on the CMT Music Awards, performing with Paul Klein of LANY, Kelsea Ballerini has released the official music video for “I Quit Drinking.”

Watch it here…

Kelsea is also singing with Kenny Chesney on her current single at country radio, “Half Of My Hometown.”

Watch the very autobiographical video here…

Photo Courtesy of Kelsea Ballerini

Neyland Stadium To Operate at Full Capacity, Ticket Mini-Plans on Sale Now

Neyland Stadium To Operate at Full Capacity, Ticket Mini-Plans on Sale Now

Posted on June 15, 2021
Neyland Stadium / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The centennial celebration of historic Neyland Stadium and the start of the Josh Heupel era will coincide with a return to normalcy to the game day and tailgating experience. The University of Tennessee announced Tuesday that Neyland Stadium will operate at full capacity this fall.

“I know our fans are eager to experience the rich pageantry of Tennessee football gamedays again, and they’re going to have an exciting brand of football to rally around,” Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “This will be my first football season at Tennessee, and after witnessing the power of Vol Nation during our recent baseball postseason run, I cannot wait to see the impact of our fans giving their all in a packed Neyland Stadium.”

One of college football’s top 10 winningest head coaches over the last three seasons, Heupel makes his debut when the Volunteers host Bowling Green in a Thursday primetime opener on Sept. 2. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. ET on SEC Network.

“We can’t wait to experience the Vol Walk, running through the ‘T’ and everything that makes Neyland Stadium special,” Heupel said. “I get goosebumps just thinking about what it will be like that Thursday night. The passion of Vol Nation is unmatched, and we are grateful for their support.”

Ticket mini-plans for the 2021 season are on sale now at AllVols.com. Fans can customize their mini-plan by selecting any four games in a variety of sections for one price. Home games include Bowling Green (Sept. 2), Pittsburgh (Sept. 11), Tennessee Tech (Sept. 18), South Carolina (Oct. 9), Ole Miss (Oct. 16), Georgia (Nov. 13), South Alabama (Nov. 20) and Vanderbilt (Nov. 27).

Season tickets are also on sale for as low as $300 with the Vol Pass and payment plan options offered. Fans can experience the Neyland Stadium 3D map to select tickets based on preference. Fans with questions related to seats, views and options can utilize the live “CHAT” feature on AllVols.com.

The ninth-oldest stadium in the FBS, Neyland Stadium first opened as Shield-Watkins Field in 1921. Fans can join in the 100-year celebration by sharing their memories of one of college football’s grandest cathedrals at Neyland100.com. The centennial milestone comes during a fall in which Tennessee will play its 125th season of football. The Vols have won 849 games – 10th in FBS history – dating back to their first contest in 1891.

-UT Athletics

Brett Eldredge is Heading Out On the Good Day Tour This September

Brett Eldredge is Heading Out On the Good Day Tour This September

Posted on June 15, 2021

Brett Eldredge is very happy to announce that he’s hitting the road!

He says, “The Good Day tour will by far be the most appreciative and grateful experience of my career because I miss playing music so much.”

Brett shares, “I miss the human connection, the fan to fan connection, the people out there singing their hearts out who travel from all over the place to come together as a group, and be there with each other to smile, laugh and sing. The Good Day Tour is going to bring a lot of joy to people and one of those especially being me, because I cannot wait.”

Brett’s tour starts here in the states this September, and as of now, will extend in 2022 with shows overseas.

GOOD DAY TOUR 2021 DATES:

Sept 16 – Cleveland, OH – Jacobs Pavilion

Sept 17 – Cincinnati, OH – The Andrew J Brady ICON Music Center

Sept 18 – Detroit, MI – Michigan Lottery Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

Sept 23 – St. Louis, MO – Saint Louis Music Park

Sept 24 – Toledo, OH – Toledo Zoo Amphitheater

Sept 25 – Huber Heights, OH – Rose Music Center at The Heights

Sept 30 – Orlando, FL – Dr. Phillips Center

Oct 1 – Boca Raton, FL – Mizner Park Amphitheater

Oct 2 – Key West, FL – The Key West Amphitheater

Oct 14 – Wilmington, NC – Riverfront Park Amphitheater

Oct 15 – Atlanta, GA – Coca-Cola Roxy

Oct 16 – Raleigh, NC – Red Hat Amphitheater

Oct 21 – Philadelphia, PA – The Met

Oct 22 – Buffalo, NY – Shea’s Buffalo Theater

Oct 23 – Pittsburgh, PA – UPMC Events Center

Oct 28 – Colorado Springs, CO – The Broadmoor World Arena

Oct 29 – Denver, CO – Fillmore Auditorium

Oct 30 – Salt Lake City, UT – The Complex

Nov 4 – Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena

Nov 5 – Reading, PA – Santander Arena

Nov 6 – Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort Casino

GOOD DAY TOUR 2022 DATES:

May 2 – Glasgow, UK – Academy+

May 3 – Belfast, UK – Ulster Hall+

May 5 – Leeds, UK – Academy+

May 6 – Birmingham, UK – Institute+

May 8 – Manchester, UK – Ritz+

May 10 – London, UK – The Forum+

May 13 – Berlin, Germany – Metropol*+

May 14 – Munich, Germany – Backstage Werk*+

May 16 – Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Melkweg Max*+

*Not a Live Nation Date

+Support TBA

Heading out with Brett on the Good Day tour will be Morgan Evans.

Talking about Morgan, Brett says, “I’m bringing Morgan Evans on tour and I’ve been a big fan of his for a long time and he’s a crazy good talent and amazing guy. I just think he brings that mentality that I love, that positive energy and good heart and this tour is going to have a lot of heart,”

Brett adds, “We’re gonna show the world what it feels like to be alive again, and I’m gonna kiss that stage when I walk on it every night because there’s nothing like it and I’ll never let it go.”

Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, June 18th at 10AM local time at LiveNation.com.

Fans will definitely be catching the song that shares the name with the tour, Brett Eldredge’s “Good Day.”

Photo Credit: Greg Noire

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